THURSDAY HOMILY: St. Stanislaus Teaches Us to Obey God Rather than Men

Peter and the Apostles said in reply, We must obey God rather than men

This struggle between the law of God and the laws of men is not a new experience for the Christian Church. We must always "obey God rather than men" when confronted with a conflict of loyalties.St. Stanislaus of Poland demonstrates the courage of a man totally given over to service to the only eternal King, Jesus Christ. In doing so, he also reveals┬áthe same┬ácourage demonstrated by Peter and the Apostles. His holiness and godly character led the faithful of his time to live their faith when faced with the oppression that can come from unjust rulers.┬á

CHESAPEAKE, VA (Catholic Online) - As we continue in the Easter season our readings from the daily Catholic Liturgy tell us of the heroic missionary witness of an early Church truly living the implications of their Resurrection faith.┬áThese Christians were certainly not confused concerning their Catholic identity. They were unashamed of stating clearly that Jesus Christ is the only name by which men and women can be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Today, as the story of these courageous witnesses unfolds, we see several of their leaders, led by Peter, brought before the Sanhedrin: "When the court officers had brought the Apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, "We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man's blood upon us."

"But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." When they heard this, they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death." (Acts 5:27-33)

This struggle between the law of God and the laws of men is not a new experience for the Christian Church. We must always "obey God rather than men" when confronted with a conflict of loyalties. While Christians are to be good citizens we must first, in the words of the great evangelist Paul, remember that our lasting "citizenship is in heaven" (Phil. 3:20). St. Paul told the Christians in Rome: "I am under obligation; that is why I am eager to preach the gospel also to you in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel! It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes"(Romans 1) We are still "under obligation".

On April 11, Catholic Christians following the Western Church Calendar also commemorate a heroic son of Poland, the Bishop and Martyr St. Stanislaus. He was born in 1030 near Krakow, in the town of Szczepanow to a wealthy family. This nobleman by birth would hear the call to another way of life, the way of following the King of Kings, Jesus Christ, who became poor so that we might find true riches. Educated in Gnesen he responded to the Holy Spirit's call to Holy Orders in service to the Church.

It was Bishop Lambert of Krakow who ordained him to the priesthood. Years later, the holy priest would be called to replace Bishops Lambert and become the Bishop of Krakow in 1071. He was chosen by both the Bishop, who deeply admired the priest, and by the faithful who loved him and saw in him Christ's character and true compassion for the poor. He was known to be a truly holy man and his preaching and teaching led many to embrace the faith or to live it more fervently in a difficult time in Poland. He was also beloved by the clergy, visiting them regularly and showing them the love of a spiritual father.

Poland was ruled by a cruel and corrupt King named Boleslaus II who cared neither for the faithful nor for God. The Nation was under the thumb of a tyrant. Bishop Stanislaus regularly confronted the King and called him to reform his life and care for the people entrusted to him. The Kind followed neither admonition. In fact, he became increasingly angered by the good Bishop. Bishop Stanislaus was not intimidated and one account indicates he used the most severe rod of correction to seek the conversion of the King - he excommunicated him and called him to repentance.

The King raged against the Bishop. In fact, he became so overcome with hatred that he waited outside the Chapel of St. Michael, outside of Krakow one morning. While the Bishop was celebrating Holy Mass, the King entered the sanctuary and killed him with his own sword. So vicious and filled with hatred was this tyrant that he then had Bishop Stanislaus dismembered and tried to hide the evil deed.┬á However, the Saint's relics were recovered and placed in veneration at the Cathedral of Krakow. He died in 1097.

St. Stanislaus of Poland demonstrates the courage of a man totally given over to service to the only eternal King, Jesus Christ. In doing so, he also reveals┬áthe same┬ácourage demonstrated by Peter and the Apostles. His holiness and godly character led the faithful of his time to live their faith when faced with the oppression that can come from unjust rulers.

His Bishop's heart toward his priests ensured that the Clergy of his day persevered even when they were oppressed. When faced with the call to leadership in the Church in an hour when an unjust King threatened the Church and rejected God, he did not back down.

First, he sought to assist the King to find the path to conversion and change. Then, he refused to compromise. He became a martyr, a word derived from a Greek word which means witness. Though not yet called to shed our own blood for the faith, we are all called to be witnesses. We can learn from this champion of Poland how to embrace our own calling in a hostile culture.

Prayer: Father, may the example of St. Stanislaus of Poland inspire the people of Poland and throughout the world to follow Jesus Christ even in the midst of oppression from ungodly governments. May his holiness of life and dedication to prayer be an example to each one of us in our own state in life and vocation. May his holy priesthood and Episcopal service inspire priests, bishops and deacons in our own time to care for the faithful and stand up to those who persecute the Church, without fear for their own safety, willing to even shed their blood if called to do so.

Pope Francis Prayer Intentions for July 2015
Universal: That political responsibility may be lived at all levels as a high form of charity.
Evangelization: That, amid social inequalities, Latin American Christians may bear witness to love for the poor and contribute to a more fraternal society.

Comments

The Spirit makes one man a teacher of divine truth, inspires another to prophesy, gives another the power of casting out devils, enables another to interpret holy Scripture. The Spirit strengthens one man's self-control, shows another how to help the poor, teaches ... continue reading

It is not accidental that the Bible, from beginning to the end, uses marriage as a metaphor and a symbol to reveal the plan of God for the whole human race. Marriage was God's plan from the beginning as we see in the first book of Genesis. Throughout the Old ... continue reading

"A sower went out to sow. And, as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for ... continue reading

How we interpret the Bible is of immense importance! It directly affects what we believe about Christ, the Church, and our faith, but it is also related to many of the grave problems in our society and the world. Yet, despite the gravity of this situation, we have good ... continue reading

We celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. It is one of many opportunities the Catholic Church year offers to each one of us to consider the creature called time, receive it as a gift, and begin to really live our lives differently. This is one of ... continue reading

On the Solemnity of the Feast of Christ the King, the Sunday which marks both the end of the Church Year and the end of the Year of Faith, inaugurated by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Pope Francis greeted thousands of the faithful and presided over Holy Mass and the ... continue reading

Becoming a House of Prayer is the best discipline we can take on. St. Ephraem of Syria states that Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy ... continue reading

If this day you only knew what makes for peace- but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your ... continue reading

In Jesus Christ, the Kingdom has been inaugurated. Upon his return it will be made complete and fully manifested in a new heaven and a new earth. We are members of the Body of Christ which makes it present here and now - as seed and sign for a world which is in labor. ... continue reading

On this Feast of the Presentation of Mary, let us make the choice to surrender ourselves to the same Lord who Joachim and Ann honored when they presented their dear daughter in the temple. Their daughter, Mary, became the Second Eve. The New Creation was born through ... continue reading